Creation of a tool to assess adherence to treatments for acne.
BACKGROUND
Acne is a disorder in which adherence has a major impact on treatment outcome.


OBJECTIVE
To create an easy-to-use tool to assess treatment adherence, based on a questionnaire that can be used on a daily basis by dermatologists.


METHODS
First, we evaluated adherence by comparing responses to a self-administered questionnaire with the dermatologist's prescription. Second, concordance was assessed between adherence and each question of a dermatologist-directed questionnaire (DDQ) administered during the consultation. Third, DDQ questions were combined to construct a mini-questionnaire, and these combinations were tested to maximize specificity.


RESULTS
The study included 246 patients, who were prescribed topical treatment alone, combined treatment (excluding oral isotretinoin) or oral isotretinoin alone. The mini-questionnaires for oral and topical treatments had 89% specificity for detecting poor adherence. An inappropriate answer to one question classified the patient as a probable poor compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Our mini-questionnaires provide dermatologists with specific tools to rapidly identify poor compliance.
Pawin
Henry
H
Cabinet privé, Paris, France.
Beylot
Claire
C
Chivot
Martine
M
Faure
Michel
M
Poli
Florence
F
Revuz
Jean
J
Dréno
Brigitte
B
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D055656:Prescriptions; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D015474:Isotretinoin